Wondering what to do today? You might be surprised to hear that several museums are open and some walking tours are operating. Don’t miss our Things to do in London on Christmas Day blog to find out more.

And finally, if you’re travelling around London between 23 December and 1 January 2014, your journey may be affected by service changes. Visit TfL’s Festive Transport page for travel information.

]]>http://blog.visitlondon.com/2013/12/merry-christmas-from-visitlondon-com-2/feed/2New Year’s Eve Dining in Londonhttp://blog.visitlondon.com/2013/12/new-years-eve-dining-in-london/
http://blog.visitlondon.com/2013/12/new-years-eve-dining-in-london/#commentsThu, 05 Dec 2013 10:00:43 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=36558Before all the popping bottles of Champagne, the Thames fireworks, the clarion chimes of Big Ben, and the cries of “Happy New Year”, New Year’s Eve begins with just the right amount of drinking and dining to sustain our excitable levels of revelry. Here are 21 London restaurants that have a special meal planned for 31 December 2013.

For those who like dancing with their NYE dinner…

Strip Bar & SteakThe brand new Las Vegas-New York style bar and restaurant, Strip Bar & Steak (pictured above), at Malmaison London hotel in Farringdon is laying on a decadent five course New Year’s Eve menu for diners with exceptional taste and appetites. Once the Champagne & canapés have been dispensed with on arrival, it’ll be time to get stuck into appetisers such as oyster Rockefeller, mains including the signature aged prime USDA New York strip steak, whilst the pick of the desserts must surely be the chocolate peanut butter torte with whipped cream. There’ll be an opportunity to dance it all off though, as a live DJ will be playing until 2am. Tickets, £100 per person, email events.london@malmaison.com to book.

Dover StreetMayfair’s Dover Street Restaurant & Jazz Bar has been celebrating New Year’s in London for over 25 years now so diners with a passion for live music will be assured of an exciting evening. To complement the three-course NYE menu, an early evening jazz trio will be followed by a full seven piece soul band who will be playing live hits from artists such as Sting, Seal, Lily Allen, Craig David, Beverley Knight and Gnarls Barkley. After the live music, the restaurant’s resident DJ will keep the party going until the early hours. Meal and show tickets are £95 per person, call +44 (0)207 629 9813 for reservations.

Boisdale of Canary WharfCalling all Elvis fans! Boisdale of Canary Wharfis hosting a Las Vegas-inspired celebration which, for £145 per person, includes a four-course meal, live entertainment from Suspiciously Elvis and his seven-piece orchestra (expect the likes of Jailhouse Rock, Viva Las Vegas and Suspicious Minds), plus blackjack, poker and roulette casino tables.

Searcy’s at The GherkinSearcy’s at The GherkinA Night To Remember takes place on levels 38-40 of one of London’s most iconic buildings this New Year’s Eve, from 8pm until 2am. £250 tickets include Champagne on arrival and at midnight, plus canapés and food station, and unlimited drinks. The £300 VIP tickets are the same as above plus access to the VIP Lounge, Champagne all evening and a lobster and seafood bar. Menus can be viewed here. To book tickets call +44 (0)20 071 7215 or email theclub@searcys.co.uk

Babylon at The Roof GardensFor those wanting to splash the cash and go for something truly magnificent, how about a unique four-course meal six floors up, on the roof at Babylon restaurant? Not only will you receive a glass of champagne on arrival, wine and beer during your meal, plus a mini bottle of bubbles when you make your way through to the private members club for the DJs and live music, but you’ll also be privy to your own fireworks display at midnight as well as breakfast canapés from 2am. £240 per person (£200 for club members).

OXO Tower RestaurantIf a restaurant with a view is what you yearn for, then OXO Tower, which overlooks the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral is hosting a special black tie masquerade ball. The impressive London backdrop is complemented by Champagne on arrival, a four-course dinner, and live music from Caroline Loftus and her four-piece band. Tickets are £175 per person.

Inamo St JamesEven though Asian restaurant, Inamo St James (pictured above) is only moments from Trafalgar Square, there will be no need to drift away on New Year’s Eve because magic, music and fireworks will all be on the menu. As will a five-course meal which starts with uramaki canapés and fizz on arrival, and continues with lots of delicious Eastern cuisine. Whilst the NYE set menu is served from 7-11pm, The Magic Circle’s John Bulleid will roam from table to table, performing illusions and tricks. The London fireworks display will be shown on the restaurant’s big screen, before DJ Baz provides a funky midnight-4am set, even taking guests’ requests. Set menu is £45 per person. Contact gloria.castillo@inamo-restaurant.com or +44 (0)20 7104 2040 to book.

The GarrisonThe much-loved Bermondsey gastropub, The Garrisonis laying on ‘proper English country grub’ as part of their New Year’s Eve ‘Garris-tonbury’ party, which requires festival attire such as mucky wellington boots, floral tiaras, ripped jeans and grubby backpacks. Music will include some of the best live recordings from the last 100 years, plus a live musician playing memorable Glastonbury headliner hits.

Village EastA few more paces along trendy Bermondsey Street is the recently refurbished Village East where an Alice in Wonderland Trip Down The Rabbit Hole New Year’s Eve Party will take place. A three-course sharing menu will be served at 6.30pm and again at 8.30pm (diners will enjoy a secret cocktail when they arrive) before the restaurant is later turned into a Mad Hatters tea party with DJs and dancing until 4am. Fancy dress is encouraged.

Disappearing Dining ClubSecret, nomadic supper club, Disappearing Dining Club, returns to the Red Gallery in Shoreditch for an all-night dinner and party. Dinner dance tickets are £100 per person and include cocktails on arrival, canapés, a three-course dinner and then two large floors of raving to DJ-spun balearic disco, electronic and house music until 5am.Buddha-BarThe Forbidden New Year’s Eve Spectacular – an intriguing name for a New Year’s party, if ever there were one – will take place at the Buddha-Barin Knightsbridge. The event is being showcased as a ‘1950s East meets West extravaganza’, fusing inspiration from two 20th century movies: The Last Emperor and Moulin Rouge. There are two dining experiences available – Heavenly or Forbidden (£250 or £350) – which includes party entrance where you’ll find a casino, a hidden carnival, absinthe and Champagne cocktail trolleys, a French string quartet, a performance from Moulin Rouge’s Diamond Dog Dancers, a balloon drop and DJs.

Shaka ZuluThe flamboyant interior of South African mega restaurant Shaka Zuluin Camden is the setting for a five-course gala dinner. Arrive at 7.30pm for a canapé and Bellini reception, where fire eaters and other performers will entertain. The £99 Dinner & Drinking Table option includes your meal, plus entry to the Kings Club where UK soul queen Mica Paris will sing her hits before DJ Tempest spins house music on the decks.

Gaucho PiccadillyGaucho’s Argentinian restaurant in Piccadilly will be hosting a live Milonga show, as world-class dancers perform the sensuous Tango Argentino. Meanwhile, you can tuck into pumpkin and goats cheese bisque with black truffle oil; lobster and mozzarella empanada with seared scallops and coconut crispy shrimp; Aji Molido Churrasco de Ancho with Mediterranean pickled salad and fries with thyme; plus white chocolate and Malbec mousse with Drambuie chocolate sauce. Oh, and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne for two (£185 per person).

Trafalgar HotelWith a prime location on Trafalgar Square, The Trafalgar Hotelshould prove a popular dining option. Downstairs in the Rockwell Room, there’s a relatively inexpensive six course meal for £65 which includes beef fillet with pan fried foie gras, celeriac puree, baby vegetables and red wine jus. For those who want to party on a budget, the bowl food menu (from £5) at the Rockwell Pop Party looks good value for money, although tickets to the party itself are priced at £40 per person. To make the most of the night, buy a ticket to the Vista Prelude Party (£149) which gets you up on the roof (pictured above) to enjoy views over Trafalgar Square, the London Eye and Big Ben, in addition to party entry, a bottle of Pommery Pop Champagne, and a limited edition celebratory PopKake.

And if you’re after a quieter New Year’s Eve dinner…

TuttonsIf it’s the excited buzz of central London that really gets your New Year’s Eve going, then Covent Garden piazza is right at the heart of the fun. Long-standing piazza restaurant, Tuttons (pictured above) will provide the calm before the storm with its decadent interior and indulgent three course NYE menu which includes wholesome favourites such as scallops, rib eye steak and Champagne mousse. There’s even the option to hire your own private dining room downstairs with personal waiter service for a more intimate celebration.Three courses and a glass of fizz only £49.95. Book by emailing events@cgrestaurants.com

Tom Aikens RestaurantThe Michelin-starred Tom Aikens Restaurant in South Kensington has a three-course menu (£80) or six-course menu (£130) available for dining away from the crowds. Signature dishes such as roast scallop with braised oxtail, truffle and parsnip or beef short rib with fermented grains, beef tendon lovage will feature.

MestizoMexican restaurant, Mestizo in Camden allegedly holds the largest collection of tequilas in the UK which could spell a night to remember, or to forget. Either way, a three-course Mexican meal including welcome drink, live mariachis, and glass of champagne for £60 per person should start the festivities off with the right spirit, so to speak.

Vertigo 42There is something uniquely grand about sipping Laurent-Perrier Champagne on the last day of the year, while peering down from 42 floors above London, quietly tucking into Maldon rock oysters; ricotta dumplings with spiced tomato relish; and gateau opera chocolate and coffee cake, all lovingly prepared by a Michelin starred chef. For £150 per person, this fantasy could be your reality at Vertigo 42 courtesy of chef Anthony Demetre.

]]>http://blog.visitlondon.com/2013/12/new-years-eve-dining-in-london/feed/7New Year’s Eve Dininghttp://blog.visitlondon.com/2012/12/new-years-eve-dining/
Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:26:03 +0000http://blog.visitlondon.com/?p=308732012 was a fantastic time to be in London. It’s not over yet, however, and you can see out this momentous year in style by enjoying a celebratory meal at one of the city’s great restaurants. There are lots of special deals on offer and we’ve rounded up some of the best options by menu type below. First, however, here are three essential tips from Toptable‘s Lucy Taylor on getting the most out of your New Year’s Eve dining experience.

1. Don’t wait until the last minute! Prime tables with a view of the fireworks are hard to come by so book as early as possible.

2. Be flexible on time and you could save money. Many restaurants have two seatings: an early, typically cheaper seating and a late seating that extends through past midnight. If you have your heart set on a particular restaurant the earlier seating may be the best way to grab last minute availability

If you’re looking for an affordable meal, lots of London restaurants are offering budget-friendly set menus that don’t compromise on quality. Many of them take place in the early evening, allowing you to fuel up in style before you hit the dance floor.

Almeida in Islington, for example is offering an early evening menu of five courses, as well as canapés, mince pies and coffee, for £45.

Alternatively, you can enjoy three courses and a glass of champagne at the City’s 3 South Place Bar & Grill at any time of the evening (£40). Closer to Trafalgar Square, revellers can savour Indian cuisine either early on at the Mint Leaf (£25, until 7.30pm) or later at Dishoom, where the restaurant’s Bombay Vintage Glam Party offers a ten-dish sharing menu and welcome cocktail for £48.

Over in party-loving Soho, Kettner’s is offering a scrumptious four-course meal and coffee for £49. Service starts at 7pm and there will be live piano music all evening, or you can opt for pre-theatre options which start from £20 for two courses.

For those in the mood for more active dining, Bloomsbury’s All Star Lanes are offering a glass of prosecco, cocktail, two course meal and bowling package for £35, or you can spend your meal playing with futuristic gadgets at the Inamo restaurants. Further afield, why not sit down at Odette’s in Primrose Hill between 6pm-7.15pm for a three course menu that features scallops, Welsh beef and truffle mash, before heading out onto the hill for a great view of the fireworks? (£45)

Set menus £50-£99

Although these options are slightly more expensive, many come with added entry to the venue’s afterparty.

The Andaz Hotel at Liverpool Street allows you to enjoy a four course menu with a glass of champagne in its gorgeous 1901 restaurant, before partying in the venue’s Champagne Bar to music from their DJ (£55).

An in-house after-party is also on the cards at trendy Gilgamesh, where you can feast on either their pan-Asian meat or vegetarian menus before dancing the night away (£65).

For a more European taste of debauchery, do New Year’s Eve at Bunga Bunga, which offers a six course Italian banquet, welcome cocktail and mask (useful at the ensuing masquerade party) for £85.

A more refined alternative is The Gun in London’s Docklands, which will be serving a six course tasting menu with champagne on arrival and at midnight, accompanied by DJ music in the pub’s riverside areas from 10pm. Foodies can also grab an early bargain at the Michelin-starred Alyn Williams at the Westbury, where you can pay just £60 for canapés and champagne, a tempting set menu and coffee with chocolates if you’re seated between 5.30 and 6.30pm.

Set menus over £100

London’s fine dining scene provides ample opportunity to push the boat out and see in 2013 with unique flair. Prices can rise quite steeply here, but you’re almost guaranteed an unforgettable evening.

Elsewhere, you can feast on a Scottish banquet at Albannach (£100), enjoy a four-course meal and live music at newly refurbished hotspot No. 5 Cavendish Square, or enjoy a glamorous night in the Waldorf Hilton in Aldwych, which offers guests live jazz, champagne and a six-course dinner. For a truly extravagant evening, however, look no further than the Ritz, where a four-course dinner is accompanied by a regimental marching band, live music and dancing. (£575)

A La Carte Dining

If your new year’s resolution is to be more decisive, why not get a head start by opting for an a la carte rather than set menu? Select restaurants across London will be offering a full a la carte menu: try the jazzy Brompton Bar and Grill, chic martini-centric hotspot Christopher’s, or the very British Albion, which is holding a few tables back for spontaneous callers.